SIUE Softball Blanks Jefferson

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – With a pair of shutouts Sunday, the SIUE softball team improved to 4-0 for the fall exhibition season.

SIUE defeated Jefferson 2-0 in the opener and 5-0 in the nightcap.

Haley Chambers-Book earned the win in game one with six innings of work, fanning seven batters. Emily Ingles picked up the win in game two with six strikeouts. Ashley Koziol threw one inning in game one and three innings in game two, earning saves in both contests.

"When they are throwing well, our staff is pretty good," said SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery. "I'm really happy with our pitching staff. They complement each other well."

SIUE's newcomers were on display for the home fans and came through big offensively. Six of the seven RBIs came off the bat of new players to the Cougar roster.

"We have a talented group of young kids," said Montgomery. "I'm very happy about that."

In game one, both SIUE came in the fifth inning. Zoe Schafer opened the inning with a double to right center. After Tess Eby sacrificed her to third base, Allison Smiley singled her home. Jane Smith pinch ran for Smiley and moved to third on a single by Amy Hunt. Kalei Kaneshiro picked up the RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field.

In game two, SIUE peppered Jefferson's pitching beginning with one run in the second inning. Sarah Lopesilvero put the Cougars on top with a single to left field after Kaneshiro doubled with one out.

SIUE ran the lead to 3-0 in the third inning with RBIs from Schafer and Reagan Curtis. The final two runs for SIUE in the fourth were by Lopesilvero and Conner Cutright.

The Cougars close out the fall season next Sunday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at home against Lake Land College.